Damarious Randall sees it unfolding like this: Arizona State's top receiver, Jaelen Strong, will get a lot of attention from defensive coordinators this season. As a result, this will present opportunities for someone else.

"And a man to look out for who will feast off those double-teams is Cameron Smith,'' said Randall, a senior safety. "Honestly, I think he's our second-best receiver, like, hands down. This season will be his coming-out party."

That opinion is gaining support inside the ASU Verde Dickey Dome, where the Sun Devils returned Monday after practicing four days last week amid cooler temperatures at Camp Tontozona. With 10 days before the season opener against lower-division Weber State, Smith has positioned himself to make an impact in ASU's passing game.

"There are no limits you can put on that kid," offensive coordinator Mike Norvell said. "If he continues to progress, I think he'll be one of the top receivers that we have — not only this year, but I think he can be a top receiver in the conference. He's a special talent. He has a chance to be really good."

Smith, a sophomore, is listed at 5 feet 11 and 187 pounds. He's ASU's fastest receiver, but he's also a perfectionist, which means he's meticulous with his route running (and his diet). A three-star prospect out of Coppell, Texas, Smith last season was used mostly to stretch the field. As a freshman, he caught eight passes for 129 yards, an average of 16.1 yards per catch.

Quiet by nature, Smith — who missed a week of preseason practice for what his position coach termed general "soreness" — has turned down interview requests this month, which goes against coach Todd Graham's team policy. Last season, Smith told reporters he'd rather let his performance do the talking for him.

"He's quiet but confident,'' receivers coach DelVaughn Alexander said. "Like always, he's really, really smart. He understands all the positions, and he's just been productive. He's been making plays, and he's been right on a lot of things we ask him to do."

Two years ago, when Graham and his staff arrived, receiver might have been ASU's weakest position. As the season unfolded, opponents focused more on stopping ASU's running backs and tight ends, which created problems.

This season, both Norvell and Alexander feel good about the Sun Devils' talent and depth.

Strong, junior Gary Chambers and sophomore Frederick Gammage worked with the first team for most of preseason camp, with Smith and redshirt freshman Ronald Lewis getting occasional reps. Redshirt freshman Ellis Jefferson, junior Eric Lauderdale and freshman Jalen Harvey also have contributed.

"All these guys are going to play, so we can go fast and keep guys fresh,'' Alexander said. "I haven't been able to do that in two years."

Norvell believes in spreading the ball around.

The past two years, then-lead running back Marion Grice caught 91 passes out of the backfield. In 2012, Chris Coyle set a school record for most catches in a season by a tight end.

Adding another threat opposite Strong should only strengthen ASU's attack. In 2012, true receivers — not counting running back D.J. Foster, even though he often lined up in the slot — accounted for 44.4 percent of ASU's receptions. Last year, behind Strong, they accounted for 46.9 percent.

If Smith plays as expected, that percentage should increase.

"He's very, very talented,'' Alexander said. "He's dynamic as a receiver getting in and out of the break, exploding to the ball. I'm just looking forward to him feeling more comfortable in Year 2 than he (was) in Year 1."

Arizona State's starting quarterback Taylor Kelly runs a drill holding on to the ball during football practice on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014, at the Bill Kajikawa Football Practice Field in Tempe. The team's first game is in three weeks (8/28), against Weber State at Sun Devil Stadium. (Photo: Charlie Leight/azcentral sports)

Arizona State's defensive lineman Tashon Smallwood prepares to go by lineman Renell Wren during football practice on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014, at the Bill Kajikawa Football Practice Field in Tempe. The team's first game is in three weeks (8/28), against Weber State at Sun Devil Stadium. (Photo: Charlie Leight/azcentral sports)

Arizona State's head coach Todd Graham barks instructions during football practice on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014, at the Bill Kajikawa Football Practice Field in Tempe. The team's first game is in three weeks (8/28), against Weber State at Sun Devil Stadium. (Photo: Charlie Leight/azcentral sports)

Arizona State's running backs coach Bo Graham, center, rallies his players at the start of football practice on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014, at the Bill Kajikawa Football Practice Field in Tempe. The team's first game is in three weeks (8/28), against Weber State at Sun Devil Stadium. (Photo: Charlie Leight/azcentral sports)

Arizona State's Kweishi Brown (10), left, Nick Kelly (50, and D.J. Foster, right, join other Sun Devils arriving for practice on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014, at the Bill Kajikawa Football Practice Field in Tempe. The team's first game is in three weeks (8/28), against Weber State at Sun Devil Stadium. (Photo: Charlie Leight/azcentral sports)

Arizona State wide receiver Daniel Groebrier (88) holds on to the ball during drills on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014, at the Bill Kajikawa Football Practice Field in Tempe. The team will continue practicing there until it leaves for Camp Tontozona on Tuesday, Aug. 12. (Photo: Charlie Leight/azcentral sports)

Arizona State defensive back Damarious Randall (3) grabs a drink during football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014, at the Bill Kajikawa Football Practice Field in Tempe. The team will continue practicing there until it leaves for Camp Tontozona on Tuesday, Aug. 12. (Photo: Charlie Leight/azcentral sports)

Arizona State tight end Dan Vear (86) holds on to the ball during drills on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014, at the Bill Kajikawa Football Practice Field in Tempe. The team will continue practicing there until it leaves for Camp Tontozona on Tuesday, Aug. 12. (Photo: Charlie Leight/azcentral sports)

Arizona State tight end Dan Vear (86) holds on to the ball during drills on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014, at the Bill Kajikawa Football Practice Field in Tempe. The team will continue practicing there until it leaves for Camp Tontozona on Tuesday, Aug. 12. (Photo: Charlie Leight/azcentral sports)

Arizona State offensive line coach Chris Thomsen, center, revs his players up at the start of football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014, at the Bill Kajikawa Football Practice Field in Tempe. The team will continue practicing there until it leaves for Camp Tontozona on Tuesday, Aug. 12. (Photo: Charlie Leight/azcentral sports)

Arizona State's linebacker D.J. Calhoun (4) talks with coaches during the football team's fall practice, Monday, August 4, 2014, at the Kajikawa Football Practice Field in Tempe. The Sun Devil's first game is against Weber State at home on Aug. 28. (Photo: Charlie Leight/azcentral sports)

Arizona State wide receiver Eric Launderdale (14) runs through a gauntlet holding the at football practice, Monday, August 4, 2014, at the Kajikawa Football Practice Field in Tempe. The Sun Devil's first game is against Weber State at home on Aug. 28. (Photo: Charlie Leight/azcentral sports)

Arizona State's wide receiver Frederick Gammage, center, runs with the ball during drills at football practice, Monday, August 4, 2014, at the Kajikawa Football Practice Field in Tempe. The Sun Devil's first game is against Weber State at home on Aug. 28. (Photo: Charlie Leight/azcentral sports)

Arizona State running back D.J. Foster (8), runs a play during football practice, Monday, August 4, 2014, at the Kajikawa Football Practice Field in Tempe. The Sun Devil's first game is against Weber State at home on Aug. 28. (Photo: Charlie Leight/azcentral sports)

Arizona State's quarterback Taylor Kelly (10), takes a snap during the football practice, Monday, August 4, 2014, at the Kajikawa Football Practice Field in Tempe. The Sun Devil's first game is against Weber State at home on Aug. 28. (Photo: Charlie Leight/azcentral sports)

Arizona State's linebacker D.J. Calhoun (4) stretches during the football team's fall practice, Monday, August 4, 2014, at the Kajikawa Football Practice Field in Tempe. The Sun Devil's first game is against Weber State at home on Aug. 28. (Photo: Charlie Leight/azcentral sports)

Arizona State's offensive lineman Christian Westerman, center, goes through plays at the football team's fall practice, Monday, August 4, 2014, at the Kajikawa Football Practice Field in Tempe. The Sun Devil's first game is against Weber State at home on Aug. 28. (Photo: Charlie Leight/azcentral sports)

Arizona State's quarterback Taylor Kelly, center, and teammates listen to a coach at the start of the football team's fall practice, Monday, August 4, 2014, at the Kajikawa Football Practice Field in Tempe. The Sun Devil's first game is against Weber State at home on Aug. 28. (Photo: Charlie Leight/azcentral sports)

Arizona State freshman running back Kalen Ballage takes a breather during football practice, Monday, August 4, 2014, at the Kajikawa Football Practice Field in Tempe. The Sun Devil's first game is against Weber State at home on Aug. 28. (Photo: Charlie Leight/azcentral sports)

Arizona State wide receiver Eric Launderdale (14) runs through a gauntlet holding the at football practice, Monday, August 4, 2014, at the Kajikawa Football Practice Field in Tempe. The Sun Devil's first game is against Weber State at home on Aug. 28. (Photo: Charlie Leight/azcentral sports)

Arizona State's linebacker D.J. Calhoun (4) listens to head coach Todd Graham during football practice, Monday, August 4, 2014, at the Kajikawa Football Practice Field in Tempe. The Sun Devil's first game is against Weber State at home on Aug. 28. (Photo: Charlie Leight/azcentral sports)

Arizona State's running back Kyle Middlebrooks runs after getting a handoff at the football team's first fall practice, Friday, August 1, 2014, at the Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe. (Photo: Charlie Leight/azcentral sports)

Arizona State's running back D.J. Foster runs with the ball after taking a handoff from Taylor Kelly, behind, at the football team's first fall practice, Friday, August 1, 2014, at the Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe. (Photo: Charlie Leight/azcentral sports)

Arizona State's head coach Todd Graham watches his players at the football team's first fall practice, Friday, August 1, 2014, at the Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe. (Photo: Charlie Leight/azcentral sports)

Arizona State's linebacker Antonio Longino puts his helmet back on after a quick adjustment during the football team's first fall practice, Friday, August 1, 2014, at the Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe. (Photo: Charlie Leight/azcentral sports)